Written by Casey Johnson

Joy. We sing about joy often. Joy to the World. Ode to Joy. I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy.  These are a few examples.  We talk about joy. But what does joy mean? Many misunderstand that joy=happiness and happiness=joy. Sadly, with this misunderstanding many good people miss a wonderful gift God gave us when He gave us joy.

We are not going to be happy all of the time, life just doesn’t work that way, but we can have joy. We can have joy when life is going great. We can also have joy when our world is crumbling around us. I am sure you are wondering how on earth I can say that, especially if you see the pieces of your life shattered at your feet. Take heart and trust in the promise of the Lord in Nehemiah 8:10 – “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

I normally don’t share or dwell on things that have happened in my life for the simple fact that I don’t want anyone to think I am having a pity party. If you will permit me to share a few things, I will hopefully show you how the joy of the Lord has been my strength.

I was born without a father. He passed away a couple of months before I was born. This is not one of those things I feel great loss from because I never knew what life was like with a dad. But God blessed me with an amazing, godly mother. She was a great role model for me as a Christian, a mother and friend. I feel like God made her extra special because she was doing the work of both parents.

When I was 9 years old, my mom was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Read the rest at Angel Buffs blog – The Joy Of The Lord Is My Strength – Vision 61 Ministries